Five Delicious 3-2-1 Cakes

By Updated on
6 Comments

Make the most delicious microwave mug cake in just 1 minute with just 3 ingredients! The amazing 3-2-1 cake is the easy dessert you need in your life!

Have y'all heard of 3-2-1 cakes aka Magic Cakes aka Microwave Mug Cakes? I am pretty sure I am really late to the game on this one but lately they have been filling my Instagram feed.

So let's start with what a 3-2-1 cake is. Essentially a 3-2-1 cake is an individual serving of microwave cake. It was originally made by combining one package of angel food cake mix with another packaged cake mix of your choice. Then you just add water and microwave. That's it!

It gets its name because you use 3 tablespoons of cake mix, 2 tablespoons of water, and then microwave it for 1 minute in a mug or bowl sprayed with cooking spray.

Since the base recipe is so simple, the combinations for this microwave mug cake are endless. You can add or top it with so many different things - chocolate, peanut butter, nuts, whipped cream, fruit, pumpkin, pudding, cocoa powder, you get the gist.

Perhaps best of all, it comes in at just 80 calories for the basic mix. Sounds pretty great and simple. Granted, it's not the healthiest dessert option out there but great when you are really craving cake and want to save on calories.

So today I bring you the 3-2-1 cake and some of the delicious ways you can doctor it up! Are you a fan of this cake? How do you make it your own? Please share in the comments.

1. Basic 3-2-1 Cake: Combine 1 package of angel food cake mix with 1 package of regular cake mix (any flavor will do - chocolate, vanilla, spice, lemon, etc.). Store in an airtight container. When ready to serve add to a microwave safe dish sprayed with cooking spray. Stir in 2 tablespoons of water and microwave for 1 minute. Done.

2. Molton Chocolate/Candy 3-2-1 Cake: Follow the same instructions above but mix the cake mix in a separate container. Add half the batter to the mug and place a chocolate or candy in the center - a Hershey kiss, mini candy bar, or chocolate chips would work great. Pour remaining batter on top and microwave. For double chocolate, use a chocolate cake mix with the angel food cake mix for the batter.

3. Caramel Apple 3-2-1 Cake: Start by microwaving 1/2 chopped apple in a mug until soft. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Add half of the cake batter (vanilla works best) and then one caramel candy in the center. Add remaining batter and microwave. You could also drizzle caramel on top after instead.

4. Banana 3-2-1- Cake: Follow the regular directions and add 1/4 cup mashed banana to the batter. No one would blame you for adding 1 tsp. of melted peanut butter on top or mixing in some PB2 either.

5. Pumpkin Spice 3-2-1 Cake: Add 2 tbsp. canned pumpkin and 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice to your batter for a perfect fall treat.

I would love to know if there is a homemade recipe for creating your own cake mix for these creations. Please share if you have one!

6 Comments
On Five Delicious 3-2-1 Cakes
user image
user image
Sonya Venerable
February 3, 2024 - 18:10
Rate this Post
5
I started making my chocolate version years ago while on WeightWatchers!
1.5 tablespoons Pillsbury Moist Supreme Devil’s Food, 1.5 tablespoons Duncan Hines Signature Perfectly Moist Angel Food cake mix. Add the 2 tablespoons water and microwave for the 1 minute. As soon as the microwave stops open and place 1 piece of Dove Promises Dark Chocolate on top and wait a few seconds until it begins to melt and smooth over entire top! Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of powdered sugar! So Decadent!!!
user image
Dottie
September 12, 2019 - 13:42
Why are y’all using the angel food cake mix?? It isn’t necessary! I have been making this 3 21 cake for years, using Pillsbury Sugar Free yellow or chocolate cake mix. Just 3 T mix, 2 T water , stir, and 1 minute in microwave. Top it off with cool whip to save calories. It works just as well with any flavor of regular cake mix, no angel food is needed.
user image
Edith
January 3, 2021 - 10:33
Thank you for posting that you do not use the Anfgel Food Cake mix. I found the recipe online (Weight Watcher's site) MANY years ago. THAT recipe called for a single kind of boxed cake mix & diet soda. I wasn't concerned with loosing weight...I was a single person wanting a chocolate cake for ONE person only. I generally make my cake(s) w/ a chocolate cake mix & a regular cola using portions of each suitable for a cake for one person. SUPER eating! And probably kept me from having to start being a weight. watcher! It was about 2 years after I found the recipe that I noticed the $2.50 cake- for-two kits on grocery store shelves. I use a $1 box of cake mix & some of a coke. I can make so many 'cakes for one' that it probably cost me 25cents for each one. I've never even tried to figure the cost.
user image
Ann Workman
July 26, 2018 - 13:26
Rate this Post
4
This has been a fun simple dessert. I used a spice cake this time and will throw in about a tablespoon of caramel chips. I love the idea of the apple and caramel. It will kick up the points a bit, but I'll save it for those nights when I have extra points to use.
user image
Jill Doying
February 9, 2016 - 16:53
Rate this Post
5
I make this with one box of devil's food cake mix and one box of angel food cake mix. Once mixed, I drop three or four sour cherries into the mug and maybe a few chocolate chips. Microwave and top with some shaved chocolate and a dollop of non-fat Cool Whip if you like. YUM! Black Forrest Cake!
user image
Jill Doying
February 9, 2016 - 17:06
Use a box of Devil's Food Cake and a box of Angel Food Cake. Drop three or four sour cherries into the mug with the mix and a few chocolate chips. When it's done in the microwave put some shaved chocolate on top and a little low-fat Cool Whip. Voila! Black Forrest Cake! YUM!